Locking boot for vehicle wheel

ABSTRACT

A vehicle locking boot includes a horizontal support arm and a first vertical support arm extending from the horizontal support arm. The first vertical support arm includes a front engagement protrusion extending therefrom. A receiving sleeve extends from the horizontal support arm at a base of the first vertical support arm. A horizontal extension portion is coupled to the horizontal support arm. A second vertical support arm extends from the horizontal extension portion along a direction orthogonal to the upper surface of the horizontal support arm. The second vertical support arm includes a rear engagement protrusion extending therefrom. The front engagement protrusion faces the rear engagement protrusion. A keypad is disposed on the first engagement portion. The keypad is configured to lock and unlock the horizontal extension portion. A lug nut blocking plate is coupled to the first vertical support arm above the first engagement protrusion.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/916,708, filed on Jun. 30, 2020, which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 15/972,679, filed on May 7, 2018, and issuedas U.S. Pat. No. 10,696,270, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/710,083, filed on Sep. 20, 2017, and issued asU.S. Pat. No. 9,963,105, which claims priority to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 62/534,444, filed on Jul. 19, 2017, thedisclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a locking boot for a vehicle wheel. Oneor more exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a lockingboot for a vehicle wheel including an oversized lug nut cover and pad.

BACKGROUND

Parking enforcement often involves the use of identifying one or morevehicles illegally occupying a particular parking space or area andtowing said vehicle. Further, vehicle tags registered to an owner whoowed substantial fees in unpaid parking tickets. Fines may be increasedsubstantially for repeat violators who are termed scofflaws. Scofflawsmay be individuals who repeatedly violate a summons. Thus, vehiclesregistered to such owners may be towed to a storage location until backfines are paid the towed vehicle is replaced. An alternative approach isto utilize a vehicle locking boot which attaches to a vehicle's wheeland will prevent said vehicle from being moved until any related backfines are paid.

A vehicle locking boot may be applied to at least one wheel of a vehicleregistered to a scofflaw or to a vehicle parked in an illegal area. Thevehicle locking boot may eliminate the need to tow the vehicle, whichsaves time and money for both the vehicle owner and the municipality inwhich the vehicle is located. Such vehicle locking boots may be releasedafter a fine is paid and the released vehicle locking boot may bereturned to a management company without the vehicle ever being towed.

SUMMARY

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a vehiclelocking boot includes a horizontal support arm and a first verticalsupport arm extending from the horizontal support arm along a directionorthogonal to an upper surface the horizontal support arm. The firstvertical support arm includes a front engagement protrusion extendingtherefrom. A receiving sleeve extends from the horizontal support arm ata base of the first vertical support arm along a direction parallel toan extending direction of the horizontal support arm. A horizontalextension portion is coupled to the horizontal support arm. A secondvertical support arm extends from the horizontal extension portion alongthe direction orthogonal to the upper surface of the horizontal supportarm. The second vertical support arm includes a rear engagementprotrusion extending therefrom. The front engagement protrusion facesthe rear engagement protrusion. A keypad is disposed on the firstvertical support arm. The keypad is configured to lock and unlock thehorizontal extension portion. A lug nut blocking plate is coupled to thefirst vertical support arm above the front engagement protrusion.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the lugnut blocking plate may include a lug nut blocking pad disposed on lugnut blocking plate.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the lugnut locking plate may have an octagonal shape.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, thehorizontal extension portion may be coupled to an internal track formedin the horizontal support arm. The horizontal extension portion may beconfigured to slide along the internal track to move the rear engagementprotrusion to varying distances from the front engagement protrusion.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a distalend of the horizontal extension portion with respect to the secondvertical supporting arm may be concealed within the receiving sleevewhen the front engagement protrusion is in contact with the rearengagement protrusion.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, thehorizontal support arm may have a first thickness along the directionorthogonal to the upper surface of the horizontal support arm. Thereceiving sleeve may have a second thickness along the directionorthogonal to the upper surface of the horizontal support arm. Thesecond thickness may be less than the first thickness.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the uppersurface of the horizontal support arm may extend along a firsthorizontal plane. An upper surface of the receiving sleeve may extendalong a second horizontal plane. The first horizontal plane may bespaced apart from the second horizontal plane along the directionorthogonal to the upper surface of the horizontal support arm.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the firstvertical support arm may form a 90° angle with the horizontal supportarm.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, adiameter of the lug nut blocking plate may be at least 10 inches.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, adiameter of each of the front engagement protrusion at a first end ofthe front engagement protrusion opposite the rear engagement protrusionmay be at least 2 inches. A diameter of the rear engagement protrusionmay taper to 1 inch at a second end of the front engagement protrusionfacing the rear engagement protrusion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The above and other features of the present invention will become moreapparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof, withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an angled side view of a vehicle locking bootaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates an angled side view of a vehicle locking bootaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates an angled side view of a vehicle locking bootaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of a vehicle locking boot according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a view of a vehicle locking boot according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention coupled to a vehiclewheel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It will be understood that the terms “first,” “second,” “third,” etc.are used herein to distinguish one element from another, and theelements are not limited by these terms. Thus, a “first” element in anexemplary embodiment may be described as a “second” element in anotherexemplary embodiment.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described morefully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. Likereference numerals may refer to like elements throughout thespecification and drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates an angled side view of a vehicle locking bootaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2illustrates an angled side view of a vehicle locking boot according toan exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 illustrates anangled side view of a vehicle locking boot according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of avehicle locking boot according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention. FIG. 5 illustrates a view of a vehicle locking boot accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present invention coupled to a vehiclewheel.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5 , according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention, a vehicle locking boot 100 may include an oversizedlug nut blocking plate (e.g., a lug nut blocking plate 109) and pad(e.g., a lug nut blocking pad 110). The lug nut blocking plate 109 andpad 110 may be approximately ten inches in diameter, and may have asubstantially octagonal shape. Thus, the lug not blocking plate 109 andpad 110 may be dimensioned, shaped and positioned to prevent tamperingwith the vehicle locking boot 100 by preventing lug nuts of a lockedvehicle (e.g., vehicle 500) from being removed.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a vehiclelocking boot 100 may include relatively wide front and rear engagementprotrusions (e.g., a front engagement protrusion 103 and a rearengagement protrusion 107) configured to be inserted into inner andouter indentations of a wheel. The engagement protrusions may beapproximately two inches in diameter, and may taper to approximately oneinch in diameter at innermost points of the engagement protrusions whichface each other at an inner portion of a wheel (e.g., approximatelybehind the lug nuts of the vehicle). Upward projecting supporting arms(e.g., a first vertical support arm 102 and a second vertical supportarm 106) of each of the engagement protrusions (the engagementprotrusions may project horizontally) and the engagement protrusions maybe formed as a single continuous member without weld joints. Thus, theengagement protrusions may be substantially rigid such that they cannotbe easily tampered with or broken away from the vehicle locking bootthrough an application of force to the engagement protrusions orcorresponding supporting arms.

The supporting arms and the engagement protrusions may be dimensioned,shaped and positioned such that tips of the engagement protrusions comeinto contact with each other when the vehicle locking boot 100 is fullyclosed, and the engagement protrusions may become separated from eachother when the vehicle locking boot 100 is opened (e.g., to lock thevehicle locking boot to a wheel). However, dimensions of a wheel towhich the vehicle locking boot 100 is attached may vary, and thus theengagement protrusions may be separated from each other even when thevehicle locking boot 100 is locked to a wheel of a vehicle.

A first engagement protrusion (e.g., a front engagement protrusion 103)coupled to a first vertical support arm (e.g., a first vertical supportarm 102) opposite the lug nut blocking plate 109 may be moved away froma second engagement protrusion (e.g., a rear engagement protrusion 107)coupled to a second vertical supporting arm (e.g., a second verticalsupport arm 106) immediately below the lug nut locking plate 109 by wayof a horizontal extension portion coupled to the first vertical supportarm. The horizontal extension portion may slide through a trackimmediately below the second vertical supporting arm. The horizontalextension portion 105 may move in and out of a receiving sleeve 104which is fully enclosed and is positioned approximately below the lugnut blocking plate 109. Thus, a distal end of the horizontal extensionportion 105 is not exposed to an outside of the vehicle locking boot,which may prevent damage to the horizontal extension portion, and mayreduce an amount of maintenance (e.g., greasing and cleaning) of thehorizontal extension portion and the track. An upper surface of thereceiving sleeve 104 may be in a different horizontal plane (e.g., afirst horizontal plane 401) than an upper surface of a horizontalsupport arm (e.g., a horizontal support arm 101) coupled to the secondvertical supporting arm (e.g., a second vertical support arm 106) on anopposite side of the second vertical supporting arm from the horizontalsupport arm 101. For example, an upper surface of the receiving sleeve104 may be below the upper surface of the horizontal support arm 101,which may reduce a size and weight of the overall vehicle locking boot,while still protecting the horizontal extension portion.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the firstvertical support arm may form substantially a ninety degree angle withthe horizontal support arm.

The vehicle locking boot may be unlocked and removed by entering a codeinto key pad, unlocking the boot, and sliding the engagement protrusionsaway from each other to remove the vehicle locking boot from the wheel.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, thevehicle locking boot 100 may be formed of steel or another rigid metal,and may include a relatively small number of weld joints, which mayprevent one or more portions of the vehicle locking boot from beingtampered with or broken off through an application of force. Forexample, each of the support arms described herein may have a hollow,tubular steel structure to maximize strength, while minimizing weight,thus allowing the vehicle locking boot 100 described herein to be easilylocked to a vehicle's wheel without being damaged or broken off throughan application of mechanical force or through tampering with by an ownerof a vehicle.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, thevehicle locking boot 100 may include countersunk screws 112, a chargingport 113 for charging to key pad 108 or any other connected electronicdevices, a lock 114 and a release button 115 for releasing the lock 114when the release button 115 is depressed after a correct unlock code isentered into the keypad 109.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a vehiclelocking boot 100 includes a horizontal support arm 101 and a firstvertical support arm 102 extending from the horizontal support arm 101along a direction orthogonal to an upper surface the horizontal supportarm 101. The first vertical support arm 102 includes a front engagementprotrusion 103 extending therefrom. A receiving sleeve 104 extends fromthe horizontal support arm at a base of the first vertical support arm102 along a direction parallel to an extending direction of thehorizontal support arm 101. A horizontal extension portion 105 iscoupled to the horizontal support arm 101. A second vertical support arm106 extends from the horizontal extension portion 105 along thedirection orthogonal to the upper surface of the horizontal support arm101. The second vertical support arm 106 includes a rear engagementprotrusion 107 extending therefrom. The front engagement protrusion 103faces the rear engagement protrusion 107. A keypad 108 is disposed onthe first vertical support arm 102. The keypad 108 is configured to lockand unlock the horizontal extension portion 105. A lug nut blockingplate 109 is coupled to the first vertical support arm 102 above thefront engagement protrusion 103.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the lugnut blocking plate 109 may include a lug nut blocking pad 110 disposedon lug nut blocking plate. The lug nut blocking pad 110 may be a foam orrubber pad having substantially a same size and shape as the lug nutblocking plate 109 to protect a vehicle (e.g., vehicle 500) wheel fromdamage.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the lugnut locking plate 109 may have an octagonal shape, which may prevent thelug nuts from being accessed or tampered with.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, thehorizontal extension portion 105 may be coupled to an internal track 111formed in the horizontal support arm. The horizontal extension portion105 may be configured to slide along the internal track 111 to move therear engagement protrusion 107 to varying distances from the frontengagement protrusion 103.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a distalend of the horizontal extension portion 105 with respect to the secondvertical supporting arm 106 may be concealed within the receiving sleeve104 when the front engagement protrusion 103 is in contact with the rearengagement protrusion 107.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, thehorizontal support arm 101 may have a first thickness (e.g., firstthickness H1 illustrated in FIG. 4 ) along the direction orthogonal tothe upper surface of the horizontal support arm 101. The receivingsleeve 104 may have a second thickness (e.g., second thickness 112illustrated in FIG. 4 ) along the direction orthogonal to the uppersurface of the horizontal support arm 101. The second thickness may beless than the first thickness.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the uppersurface of the horizontal support arm 101 may extend along a firsthorizontal plane (e.g., first horizontal plane 401 illustrated in FIG. 4). An upper surface of the receiving sleeve may extend along a secondhorizontal plane (e.g., second horizontal plane 402 illustrated in FIG.4 ). The first horizontal plane may be spaced apart from the secondhorizontal plane along the direction orthogonal to the upper surface ofthe horizontal support arm 101.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the firstvertical support arm 102 may form a 90° angle with the horizontalsupport arm 101.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, adiameter of the lug nut blocking plate 109 may be at least 10 inches.Thus, the lug nut blocking pad 110 may be relatively large to preventaccess to and tampering with the underlying lug nuts.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, adiameter of each of the front engagement protrusion 103 at a first endof the front engagement protrusion 103 opposite the rear engagementprotrusion 107 may be at least 2 inches. A diameter of the rearengagement protrusion 107 may taper to 1 inch at a second end of thefront engagement protrusion 103 facing the rear engagement protrusion107.

The disclosures of each of the references, patents and published patentapplications disclosed herein are each incorporated by reference hereinin their entireties.

In the event of a conflict between a definition herein and a definitionincorporated by reference, the definition provided herein is intended.

Having described exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it isfurther noted that it is readily apparent to those of ordinary skill inthe art that various modifications may be made without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the present invention.

1-4. (canceled)
 5. A vehicle locking boot, comprising: a horizontalsupport arm, wherein the horizontal support arm defines a horizontalaxis extending along the horizontal support arm; a track formed in thehorizontal support arm, wherein the track extends along the horizontalaxis defined by the horizontal support arm; a first vertical support armextending from the horizontal support arm substantially along adirection orthogonal to an upper surface of the horizontal support arm,wherein the first vertical support arm comprises a front engagementprotrusion extending therefrom; a receiving orifice defined in thehorizontal support arm and extending along a direction substantiallyparallel to an extending direction of the horizontal support arm; ahorizontal extension portion coupled to the track formed in thehorizontal support arm, wherein the horizontal extension portion isconfigured to be slidably received in the receiving orifice by slidinghorizontally along the track formed in the horizontal support arm; asecond vertical support arm extending from the horizontal extensionportion substantially along the direction orthogonal to the uppersurface of the horizontal support arm, wherein the second verticalsupport arm comprises a rear engagement protrusion extending therefrom;and a lug nut blocking plate coupled to the first vertical support armabove the front engagement protrusion.
 6. The vehicle locking boot ofclaim 5, wherein the lug nut blocking plate comprises a lug nut blockingpad disposed on lug nut blocking plate.
 7. The vehicle locking boot ofclaim 5, wherein the lug nut locking plate has an octagonal shape. 8.The vehicle locking boot of claim 5, wherein the horizontal extensionportion is configured to slide along the track to move the rearengagement protrusion to varying distances from the front engagementprotrusion.
 9. The vehicle locking boot of claim 5, wherein the firstvertical support arm forms a 90° angle with the horizontal support arm.10. The vehicle locking boot of claim 5, wherein a height or width ofthe lug nut blocking plate is at least 10 inches.
 11. The vehiclelocking boot of claim 5, wherein the front engagement protrusion facesthe rear engagement protrusion.
 12. The vehicle locking boot of claim 5,wherein the front engagement protrusion is substantially horizontallyaligned with the rear engagement protrusion.
 13. The vehicle lockingboot of claim 5, further including a keypad disposed on the firstvertical support arm.
 14. The vehicle locking boot of claim 5, whereinthe horizontal extension portion is configured to slide horizontallyalong the track below the first vertical support arm.